Medicament dispenser



Dec. 28, 1954 F. E. BROWN MEDICAMENT DISPENSER Filed July 24, 1951United States Patent() MEDICAMENT DISPENSER Frank E. Brown, Burbank,Calif., assignor to Frederick M. Turnbull, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application July 24, 1951, Serial No. 238,345

12 Claims. (Cl. 12S-233) This invention relates to a structurally andfunctionally improved medicament dispenser and especially a unitcommonly known as a dropper by means of which drops of medicament may beplaced on the surface of the eye, in the nasal passage, etc.

It is an object of this invention to furnish a unit of this type inwhich preferably a solution is not provided f until the userdeliberately manipulates the parts to achieve such a result.Accordingly, it will be feasible to furnish adispenser containing, forexample, dry powder or pellets and a liquid vehicle. Therefore, the unitmay be stored for long periods of time without deterioration of themedicament.

4 A further object is that of providing a dispenser which after initialuse may be carried as a self-contained unit in the pocket without dangerof the solution being accidentally discharged or contaminated.

Still another object is that of providing an apparatus of this typewhich will include relatively few parts each individually rugged andsimple in structure, such parts being capable of ready quantitymanufacture and assembly to provide a compact dispenser which may besimply operated and the parts of which will readily re spond to propermanipulation by the user.

With these and other objects in mind reference is made to the attachedsheet of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the inventionand in which:

Fig. l is a sectional side View showing the parts in their initialpositions; l

Figs. 2, 3 and 4, are similar views showing the elements in differentpositions; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view in enlarged scale taken along theline 5 5 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1.

In these views the numeral v indicates the tubular body of the devicewhich isconveniently formed of glass. The upper end of this body isdefined by an integral wall 11 and the lower end is initially open. Thislower end may be closed by a nozzle 12 terminating in a bored spoutportion 13 of any desired length; the upper face of this nozzlepreferably presenting a socket 14 which may be somewhat tapered in adownward direction. v

A shiftable unit is provided and includes a tube 15 extending through anopening in wall 11. Adjacent its upper end this tube presents anoutwardly extending gripping portion 16. Beyond this an anchoringportion 17 may be provided. The latter serves to secure againstaccidental detachment a bulb 18 having elastic and selfrestoringcharacteristics. Disposed adjacent the upper end of body 10 is apartition member comprising a stopper 19 formed with a central aperturethev diameter of which is such that it may have wiping and sealingcontact with the outer face of tube 15. A similar partition membercomprising a stopper 20 is provided intermediate the ends of body 10 tothus divide that body into an upper compartment Z1 and a lowercompartment 22. The former, as shown, conveniently receives a body ofdiluent such as sterile water. The latter may receive a pellet or massof dry medicament.

As shown, stopper 20 is provided on its lower face with radiallyextending ribs 23. With the parts disposed in their initial position-asin Fig. l--a by-pass comprising a reduced portion 24 of tube 15 liesbelow stopper 20 and within compartment 22. The lower end of tube 15terminates in a nozzle 25 which has a diameter greater Patented Dec. 28,1954 ICC into the tapered recess or socket 14. At a point adjacent thelower end of reduced portion 24 a washer 26 is mounted upon tube 15.This Ywasher has its central opening of such reduced diameter that therewill be no danger of it passing over the nozzle portion 25 of the tube.The overall diameter of this washer is such that it may not pass throughthe opening in stopper 20. As shown in Fig. l it may move upwardly withthe tube 15 to a point to which it engages the ribs 23.

With diluent or a liquid vehicle in compartment 21 and medicament withincompartment 22, the assembly may be stored for long periods of time withfreedom from deterioration of the medicament. No air will enter theparts and a cap 27 is conveniently applied to the outer end of spout 13to maintain the latter in sterile condition. This cap 27 as well asnozzle 12, Stoppers 19 and 20, bulb 18 and washer 26 are allconveniently formed of plastic although, of course, other materialscould be ernployed.

When the user desires to provide the proper solution and to dispense thesame, all that is necessary is that flange 16 or its-equivalent begrasped and tube 15 be shifted outwardly of body 10 as shown in Fig. 2.This will `result in the reduced diameter portion 24 of the tube passinginto the opening of stopper 20. Accordingly, communication will beestablished between compartments 21 and 22. Due to the provision of ribs23, washer 26 will not obstruct a fluid flow from one compartment to theother.

Under continued outward movement of tube 15 washer 26 engaging the ribs23 will shift stopper 20 into compartment 21. Accordingly, that stopperwill function as a piston causing a displacement and transfer of theliquid diluent or vehicle from compartment 21 to compartment 22. Suchtransfer will occur through the bore of stopper 20 in view of the factthat the reduced portion 24 has a greater overall length than theheighth of that stopper. During all the foregoing operations it isapparent that stopper 19 has functioned as a seal to prevent the liquidfrom moving outwardly into the end portion of body 10 adjacent the wall11.

When all diluent has been transferred from compartment 21 to compartment22, the parts will have reached positions such as have been shown inFig. 3. As will be noted in that view, Stoppers 19 and 20 are adjacenteach other and both are positioned adjacent the upper end of body lll.If, thereupon tube 15 is projected, its nozzle end 25 will be immersedin the body of liquid. Of course, prior to such immersion the parts willpreferably be agitated to furnish a proper solution. With immersionoccurring, if bulb 18 is compressed and then released, a certain amountof the solution within compartment 22 will be drawn into the bore oftube 15 in a manner similar to that achieved by a conventional eye ornose dropper. Thereupon bulb 1S is compressed and the solution will bedischarged through the bore of nozzle 12 in the form of a series ofdrops or ne stream. lf desired, tube 15 may, of course, during thisoperation be maintained in a position at which its nozzle portion 25 isnot necessarily immersed in the body of solution. Under thosecircumstances, by simply compressing bulb 18 the pressure on the body ofair above the solution is increased. Such increase will cause adischarge of the solution through the bore or passage of spout 13. Aswill be apparent, 'that passage is sufliciently tine to have a capillaryaction such that, except when a deliberate discharge of solution occurs,there will be little if any tendency of that solution to escape.

After the user has completed dispensing the quantity ofmedicament'desired, then he may simply project tube 15 so that the partsoccupy a portion such as has been shown in Fig. 4. As will be noted inthat View, nozzle 25 seats within the recess or socket 14 and thusfunctions as a valve to prevent a ow of the solution. In order tomaintain the cleanliness of the parts and also to further safeguardagainst any seepage, cap 27 may be remounted upon the end of spout 13.Under these circumstances the entire unit may be carried in the pocketor otherwise with no danger of an accidental leakage occurring.' i

While it is preferred to employ a pressure generating unit such as thebulb 18, it is not essential to do so.

Rather, with the solution established if the tube is reciprocatedthrough the body of the device that tube in itself will createsufficient pressure differential to assure of the discharge of a seriesof drops from the spout as that tube is projected. Under thesecircumstances it would, of course, be feasible to substitute for ahollow tube a solid member. Accordingly, no bulb would be mounted onthat member. In View of the obvious nature of this alternative structureit has not been illustrated. However, except where the claims call for atube with a bulb or compressing structure associated therewith, it is tobe understood that either a hollow or solid member might be employed.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as aforenotedare achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction andrearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

l. A medicament dispenser including in combination, a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, said partition member being shiftable into said diluentcompartment, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the innerend of said member into the same through both said diluent compartmentand an opening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engagingsurfaces of said member and said unit being formed with a by-passwhichupon said unit being shifted-affords a passage for the flow ofdiluent from said diluent compartment to said medicament cornpartment,and means on said shiftable unit for contacting and moving saidpartition member into said diluent compartment.

2. A medicament dispenser including in combination, a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, said partition member being shiftable into said diluentcompartment, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the innerend of said member into the same through both said diluent compartmentand an opening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engagingsurfaces of said member, said unit being formed with a by-passwhich-upon said unit being shiftedaffords a passage for the flow ofdiluent from said diluent compartment to said medicament compartment,and means on said shiftable unit for contacting and moving saidpartition member into said diluent compartment, said dispenserpresenting a passage adjacent the inner end of said nozzle and said unitbeing shiftable to have its outer end sealingly engage the surface ofsaid passage to prevent a ow of uid therethrough.

3. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the inner end ofsaid member into the same through both said diluent compartment and anopening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engaging surfacesof said member, said unit being formed with a by-pass which-upon saidunit being shiftedaffords a passage for the ow of diluent from saiddiluent compartment to said medicament compartment, a second partitionmember disposed within said body at a point adjacent the inner end ofthe same to define the adjacent end of the diluent compartment and saidsecond member being also formed with an opening through which said unitextends.

4. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the inner end ofsaid member into the same through both said diluent compartment and anopening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engaging surfacesof said member, said unit being formed with a bypass which-upon saidunit being shifted-affords a passage for the flow of diluent from saiddiluent compartment to said medicament compartment, a second partitionmember disposed within said body at a point adjacent the inner end ofthe same to define the adjacent end of the diluent compartment, saidsecond member being also formed with an opening through which said unitextends and a projecting part extending from said unit to engage withsaid first-named partition member as said unit is moved in the directionof the inner end of said tubular body to move said rst-named partitionmember towards said second partition member and force fluid through saidby-pass into said medicament compartment.

5. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, said partition member being shiftable into said diluentcompartment, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the innerend of said member into the same through both said diluent compartmentand an opening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engagingsurfaces of said member, said unit being formed with a by-pass whichuponsaid unit being shifted-affords a passage for the flow of diluent fromsaid diluent compartment to said medicament compartment, and means onsaid shiftable unit for contacting and moving said partition member intosaid diluent compartrnent, said by-pass being formed on the outer faceof said unit, the latter being formed with a bore extending throughoutthe length of its body and a bulb mounted by said unit at a point beyondthe inner end of said tubular body to exert pressure within saidmedicament compartment.

6. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, said partition member being shiftable into said diluentcompartment, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the innerend of said member into the same through both said diluent compartmentand an opening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engagingsurfaces of said member, said unit being formed with a by-pass whichuponsaid unit being shiftedaifords a passage for the flow of diluent fromsaid diluent compartment to said medicament compartment, and means onsaid shiftable unit for contacting and moving said partition member intosaid diluent compartment, said nozzle being formed with a tapered recessin its inner face and the outer end of said unit being insertable intosaid recess to engage with surfaces thereof to prevent a flow of fluidthrough said nozzle.

7. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, said partition member being shiftable into said diluentcompartment, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the innerend of said member into the same through both said diluent compartmentand an opening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engagingsurfaces of said member, said unit being formed with a by-passwhich-upon said unit being shiftedaffords a passage for the flow ofdiluent from said diluent compartment to said medicament compartment,means on said shiftable unit for contacting and moving said partitionmember into said diluent compartment, a second partition member disposedwithin said body at a point adjacent the inner end of the same to denethe adjacent end of the diluent compartment and said second member beingalso formed with an opening through which said unit extends.

8. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the inner end ofsaid member into the same through both said diluent compartment and anopening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engaging surfacesof said member, said unit being formed with a by-pass which-upon saidunit being shifted-affords a passage for the iiow of diluent from saiddiluent com partment to said medicament compartment, said dispenserpresenting a passage adjacent the inner end of said nozzle and said unitbeing shiftable to have its outer end sealingly engage the surface ofsaid passage to prevent a ow of fluid therethrough, a second partitionmember disposed within said body at a point adjacent the inner end ofthe same to define the adjacent end of the diluent compartment and saidsecond member being also formed with an opening through which said unitextends.

9. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the inner end ofsaid member into the same through both said diluent compartment and anopening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engaging surfacesof said member, said unit being formed with a by-pass which-upon saidunit being shifted-affords a passage for the ow of diluent from saiddiluent compartment to said medicament compartment, said by-pass beingformed on the outer face of said unit, the latter being formed with abore extending throughout the length of its body and a bulb mounted bysaid unit at a point beyond the inner end of said tubular body to exertpressure within said medicament compartment, a second partition memberdisposed within said body at a point adjacent the inner end of the sameto define the adjacent end of the diluent compartment and said secondmember being also formed with an opening through which said unitextends.

10. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the inner end ofsaid member into the same through both said diluent compartment and anopening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engaging surfacesof said member, said unit being formed with a by-pass which-upon saidunit being shifted-affords a passage for the flow of diluent from saiddiluent compartment to said medicament compartment, said nozzle beingformed with a tapered recess in its inner face and the outer end of saidunit being insertable into said recess to engage with surfaces thereofto prevent a flow of uid vthrough said nozzle, a second partition memberdisposed within said body at a point adjacent the inner end of the sameto define the adjacent end of the diluent compartment and said secondmember being also formed with an opening through which said unitextends.

11. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, said partition member being shiftable into said diluentcompartment, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the innerend of said member into the same through both said diluent compartmentand an opening in said partition member, said unit sealingly engagingsurfaces of said member, said unit being formed with a by-passwhich-upon said unit being shiftedaffords a passage for the tiow ofdiluent from said diluent compartment to said medicament compartment,means on said shiftable unit for contacting and moving said partitionmember into said diluent compartment, said nozzle being formed with atapered recess in its inner face and the outer end of said unit beinginsertable into said recess to engage with surfaces thereof to prevent aflow of iluid through said nozzle, said by-pass being formed on theouter face of said unit, the latter being formed with a bore extendingthroughout the length of its body and a bulb mounted by said unit at apoint beyond the inner end of said tubular body to exert pressure withinsaid medicament compartment, a second partition member disposed withinsaid body at a point adjacent the inner end of the same to dene theadjacent end of the diluent compartment and said second member beingalso formed with an opening through which said unit extends.

12. A medicament dispenser including in combination a tubular bodypresenting inner and outer ends, a nozzle at the outer end of said body,a partition member within said body between the ends of the same todivide said body into a diluent-containing compartment adjacent itsinner end and a medicament-containing compartment adjacent its outerend, a shiftable unit extending from a point beyond the inner end ofsaid member into the same through both said diluent compartment and anopening in said partition member, said unit comprising a tube having anouter surface sealingly engaging surfaces of said member, said unitbeing formed with a portion of reduced diameter providing a by-passwhich-upon said unit being shifted-atiords a passage for the flow ofdiluent from said diluent compartment to said medicament compartment, asecond partition member disposed within said body at a point adjacentthe inner end of the same to define the adjacent end of the diluentcompartment and said second member being also formed with an openingthrough which said unit extends.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 565,480 Maloney Aug. 11, 1896 1,100,010 Cummings June 16, 19041,554,991 Crowley Sept. 29, 1925 2,300,070 Smith Oct. 27, 1942 2,406,746Davis Sept. 3, 1946 2,567,001 Watson Sept. 4, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 578,535 France July 5, 1924

